7.1 Terms of reference
The Council will appoint the Overview/Scrutiny Committees set out in the left hand column of the table below to discharge the functions conferred by section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 or any regulations made under section 32 of the Local Government Act 2000 in relation to the matters set out in the right hand column of the same table.
| Overview/Scrutiny Committee | Scope |
|---|---|
| Policy and Resources | To review the implementation of existing policies and consider the scope for new policies for all aspects of the Council’s use and management of its resources and to discharge its functions in the scrutiny of authorities responsible for crime and disorder strategies. |
| Environment, Economy & Culture | To review the implementation of existing policies and to consider the scope for new policies for the discharge of the Council’s functions concerning the environment, economic activity, libraries and cultural heritage of the County. |
| Children & Young People's Services Overview/Scrutiny Committee | To review the implementation of existing policies and to consider the scope for new policies for all aspects of the discharge of the Council’s functions concerning services for children, young people. To have primary responsibility for children's health services liaising as necessary with the Health & Adults' Services Overview/Scrutiny Committee. |
| Health & Adults' Services Overview/Scrutiny Committee | To review the implementation of existing policies and to consider the scope for new policies for all aspects of the discharge of the Council's functions concerning adult social care and community learning, and to discharge its functions in the scrutiny of health services. |
7.2 General role
Within their terms of reference Overview/Scrutiny Committees will:
(a) review and/or scrutinise decisions made or actions taken in connection with the discharge of any of the Council’s functions;
(b) make reports and/or recommendations to the full Council and/or the Executive and/or any other committee in connection with the discharge of any functions;
(c) consider any matter affecting the area or its inhabitants; and
(d) exercise the right to call-in for reconsideration decisions made but not yet implemented by the Executive and/or other committees.
7.3 Specific functions
(a) Policy development and review
Overview/Scrutiny Committees may:
(i) assist the Council and the Executive in the development of the budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues;
(ii) conduct research within the community and other consultation in the analysis of policy issues and possible options;
(iii) question members of the Executive, committees and officers about their views on issues and proposals affecting the area.
(b) Scrutiny
Overview/Scrutiny Committees may:
(i) review and scrutinise the decisions made by and the performance of the Executive, individual Executive Members, other committees and officers both in relation to individual decisions and over time;
(ii) review and scrutinise the performance of the Council in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular service areas;
(iii) question members of the Executive, Executive Support Members and Member Champions and/or committees and chief officers or responsible senior officer(s) about their decisions and performance, whether generally in comparison with service plans and targets over a period of time or in relation to particular decisions, initiatives or projects;
(iv) make recommendations to the Council and/or Executive and/or appropriate committee arising from the outcome of the scrutiny process;
(v) review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the area and invite reports from them by requesting them to discuss their activities and performance; and
(vi) question and gather evidence from any person who is willing to respond to an invitation from a Committee to contribute.
7.4 Proceedings of Overview/Scrutiny Committees
Overview/Scrutiny committees will conduct their proceedings in accordance with the Overview/Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of this Constitution.
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